A fellow homeschooling mom passed this along, and I thought it was a wonderful idea. Rather than turning away from the homeless people we see—and, admittedly, where I live, we don’t see as many as you might just 10 miles away in the city—or just fumbling, not knowing just what to do, we could instead be prepared. My family and I carry an animal rescue kit in our car; why wouldn’t we carry a couple of care packages for the people we run across, too?

The idea of a Blessing Bag (or whatever you want to call it; I like care package better) is super simple. Just gather together some sort of package—a gallon Ziploc bag was suggested, but any container, from a reseal-able plastic, lidded tub to a knapsack will work—and fill it with anything you think might help out someone down on his or her luck.

The website suggests plenty of ideas, from care products (toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, etc.), nonperishable food items (granola bars, crackers, trail mix, etc.), socks, chap stick, gum, and other items. I would also suggest something to drink—maybe a bottle of water or a Capri sun?—and, if you are making knapsacks, maybe even a t-shirt or jacket if you have it. In fact, when you clean out your closet for Goodwill every couple of months, you could just assemble a package out of what you’ve got there.

A few other ideas for items to include might be books, lists of resources and helpful phone numbers (shelter information or hotline numbers), hand or foot warming packets that warm when you break or shake them, hats, gloves, or even blankets, if you can fit them in. Though a few care packages made from knapsacks or canvas bags might sound expensive, if you buy them in bulk from a craft store they can be very inexpensive. (Fundraising for them could also help, if your group want to do that.) You could even decorate them—or leave cards or notes of encouragement in them—to help cheer people up a little bit, too.

Another wonderful idea is to assemble a group of people to create the packs together. Each person could be responsible for bringing one item, and you could just put packages together in your volunteer meeting, club activities, or just with a group of friends. Then you could divide them up at the end of the meeting and put them in your cars.

If you absolutely never see homeless people, you could still keep a kit or two in your car for emergencies—you never know when you’ll run into someone who could use a bit of help—and then donate the other kits you make to a shelter where they could be used.

I also understand that many people are extremely shy—I am, too!—and might feel uncomfortable giving out kits by hand. You could try being brave and handing them out yourself (do something every day that scares you, right?), or you could just participate in raising the funds or buying the materials, doing research on shelters who might need the items, or helping out another way.